The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) has recently apprehended four suspects linked to an alleged sextortion and romance scam.
The suspects, identified as Abodunrin Rasheed, Abodunrin Tunde, and Abodunrin Rokeeb, were arrested following a report submitted through the NPF-NCCC E-Reporting portal, along with intelligence gathered by the Center.
A statement from the force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, indicates that the investigation revealed the suspects met a Croatian national on a dating app, posing as a woman.
Their ongoing conversations transitioned to Instagram and WhatsApp, leading to an intimate relationship. The Croatian was ultimately deceived into sending nude photos of himself via the dating app. The suspects then conspired to extort him, demanding a ransom or threatening to share his pictures with his family and friends.
Following the report, operatives of the NPF-NCCC conducted a thorough investigation, resulting in the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of several items related to the crime. These included six iPhones, one Techno phone, one Samsung phone, and a Lexus car.
Further investigations revealed that the suspects had previously engaged in numerous similar cybercriminal activities, both together and individually, defrauding and extorting numerous victims worldwide. The proceeds from these crimes were primarily received in the form of gift cards, such as iTunes and Steam gift cards.
Adejobi stated that the suspects will be charged in court once the investigations are complete.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, urges Nigerians to remain vigilant against suspicious online activities by scammers and other cybercriminals. He also issues a strong warning to individuals and groups engaged in cybercrime. The Nigeria Police Force is committed to combating all forms of crime and criminality. The IGP emphasizes the Force’s dedication to securing Nigerian cyberspace and taking decisive action against those threatening national peace and security. He assures Nigerians of his commitment to enhancing national security and addressing crime across all sectors.
Additionally, citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities through the NPF-NCCC e-reporting portal at nccc.npf.gov.ng/ereport/signin to assist in the prompt identification and apprehension of cybercriminals,” Adejobi added.